ArtDayME: Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Berthe Morisot and Her Daughter, Julie Manet is now on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi, marking the latest major work from the Abu Dhabi Masterpieces Collection to enter the museum’s permanent galleries for a one-year presentation.

Painted in 1894, the double portrait depicts French artist Berthe Morisot alongside her daughter, Julie Manet. Magdalena Ruiz, senior curator at Louvre Abu Dhabi, describes the painting as a masterpiece of Impressionism that also explores themes of friendship, family, motherhood and social change in the late 19th century.

Morisot is shown wearing black, reflecting her widowhood following the death of her husband, Eugène Manet. She died a year after the painting was completed, when Julie was 16. Julie later played an important role in preserving her mother’s artistic legacy by organising a major exhibition of her work.

The painting also highlights the changing status of women artists at the time. Julie Manet was not only Morisot’s daughter but also a painter and art collector, closely connected to the Impressionist movement.

At Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Renoir is displayed alongside a Monet, Japanese prints and photographs of Japanese women, creating connections between different cultures and periods. The presentation explores subjects such as family life, portraiture and intimacy as universal themes shared across cultures.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, says the painting strengthens the cross-cultural narrative of the Abu Dhabi Masterpieces Collection and reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of making art and cultural heritage accessible to the public.